The Greymanes

[SvenIronhand]

Who are the Greymanes? 

 

The Greymanes are an Ultima Founding successor of the Space Wolves. Proud and noble warriors, they style themselves the "knights of Kamahaloth". At the very edge of the Ultima Segmentum, lies their fief-world of New Albia. They have fought on such far-flunged battlefields as the hellish world of Avidya and in defense of the Civilized World of Ashimar.


Color Scheme is Army Painter Hardened Carapace, washed with Dark Tone and drybrushed with Hardened Carapace/Brainmatter Beige 50/50.

I created the Greymanes last year, but I have yet to actually field any models on them. That changes as of now. I am going to use my former Ultramarines army as a basis for a Greymanes army. They'll be run as Space Wolves Successors, using the Born Heroes + Hungry for Battle tactics. I intend to differentiate them from my Space Wolves by using Firstborn units only sparingly. 

What makes the Greymanes different from other Space Wolves successors? Well, the Greymanes have more of an Anglo-Saxon or more generally pre-Norman English influence. 

That's all for now. I have the rest of this sergeant's squad to turn out, and then I'll turn to the rest of my collection.

Edited July 2, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[Guest Triszin]

Looking forward to seeing more of your works

[SvenIronhand]

Finished the first Intercessor Squad.
 

They're nowhere near as fancy as Algrim's art, but they're Greymanes all the same.

Here's a preview of what I intend to have next on the painting table. This is Godwyn Bullroarer, Aetheling of the 8th Company. His basis is an ancient Blood Angels Lieutenant who, as you see, was painted up as a Space Wolf. I will run him as the stock Primaris Captain with Master-Crafted Power Sword and Auto Bolt Rifle. He's in the Simple Green rn, but I will soon paint him. 

[SvenIronhand]

The young and impetuous Godwyn Bullroarer is Aetheling of the 8th Company. Of New Albian birth, he finds himself amongst both his kinsmen and veterans of the Indomitus Crusade. He is well aware that others see him as little but a callow youth. And as such, he seeks to compensate for it by glory-seeking. Some would call him foolhardy, others brave. 

 

Godwyn's command is the first Battle Company a young Greymane will find themselves in after leaving the two "Shadow Companies", the 9th and 10th. As such, Godwyn leads a retinue of raw saga-seekers. In this, the Company and its Aetheling are well-matched in temperament.

Edited July 5, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[SvenIronhand]

Cue music.

This bad boy is on my painting table for tomorrow, having just been fully assembled today. I added some Anglo-Saxon flavor with the shields on the front. 


 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The shields are great additions to the Repulsor, distinguishing it from an Ultramarines vehicle. I hope to see the completed model soon.

[SvenIronhand]

Here's my Greymanes thus far, with the finished Repulsor. 

So! Godwyn led his Bullroarers //

and there was never a more impetuous band.

We have heard tell of their wars.

 

To Fennia, he came // 

Rampaging amongst Orks

He cut down their chief. 

 

On Avidya's blasted surface, he fought well //

And sent the Skin Wolves back to Uppland. 

Godwyn fights on // 

Sailing the sea of stars.

His saga is not yet done. 

[SvenIronhand]

The Greymanes think highly of individual martial prowess. To them, a few heroes properly placed in the press of it can turn the tide of battles, if not wars. For this reason, a culture of swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat has emerged amongst their ranks. Even Battleline officers, such as Hunter Pack Leaders, bear weapons such as Power Swords and Chainswords to battle. 



One Pack Leader, locked and woaded. Get it? 

[SvenIronhand]

Three more Greymanes join the Kin-pack.
 

Edited July 15, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[SvenIronhand]

Deployments of the knights of Kamahaloth are often accompanied by frenzied stories of noble warriors on lupine, ferocious steeds. These cavalry have been reckoned to turn the tide of many a battle, falling upon the foe with savage fury. While no official proof of their existence is present and the Cyning denies any such reports, they remain a persistent part of the Greymanes' mythos in the Ultima Segmentum. It is worth noting, however, that several squads of reinforcements from Fenris are missing in the Greymanes' TO&E. 
 

In reality, these warriors belong to an elite brotherhood of the 1st Company. These Wolf Knights are technically a subset of the Kingsguard, existing within the Chapter's Honour Guard. However, the Wighthounds consider them to be an order of their own, superior to the line Kingsguard. Indoctrinated into the Chapter's New Albian culture, these Fenrisians have cast aside the old hearth for the new. Their secrecy is not to mask their existence from their allies, as the Greymanes have nothing to hide from their friends, but rather to mask the full capability of the Chapter.

On the battlefield, the Wolf Knights act with surprise, speed, and stealth. They hit the foe where they are weakest and take care to minimize contact with allied forces. 

A WIP.

EDIT: Done for now. Have to assemble the other two for a game with my father tomorrow. Going to go back and paint a pattern on the shield.

Edited July 17, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[SvenIronhand]

The halyrood - lit. "Holy Crux" - is a potent symbol in the New Albian milieu. It is, quite plainly, the symbol of the ultimate sacrifice - that of a retainer for his lord. Only the most elite of Greymane warriors are entitled to wear this symbol.

 

Many Imperial clerics have noted the similarities between the Halyrood's various forms and the Terminator Honor. As it is demonstrably older than the latter, they theorize that both symbols derive from a ancient, heathen faith lost to history. Perhaps, they reason, this "cult of sacrifice" valued the sacrifice of one's life for others. 

Did some freehanding on my Chaplain's shoulderpad.

[SvenIronhand]

Gesith Battle Leaders are the Aetheling's most trusted warriors, out of all the Company. They speak for their lord, and are willing to sell their lives for him. Alwin is no exception. A cool-headed veteran warrior, he serves to moderate his lord Godwyn's excesses.

Another HQ! He has a Halyrood on his shoulderpad, even though the shield blocks view of it.

Edited July 23, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[SvenIronhand]

Thegns are a specialized cadre of close-combat specialists, with three Packs in each Greymanes Company in lieu of the same number of Hunter packs. Drawn from the Hunter packs, they are chosen for their skill-at-arms and close combat prowess. Though they are counted amongst the Claw packs due to their battlefield role, they are no Blood Claws. Rather, Thegns are cool-headed fighters who know when, where, and how to fight. When their charge hits home, it is no berserk rush, but rather skilled hunters closing home on the prey. 

[SvenIronhand]

The full squad of Thegns. 

I picked up the Vanguard Space Marines Start Collecting, so I'm going to be adding forces from the Shadow Companies.

Edited July 30, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[SvenIronhand]

"We will move ahead and mark any enemy positions."

The twin Shadow Companies serve a twofold purpose within the Greymanes Chapter. First and foremost, they serve to blood new recruits. Under the tutelage of pack leaders who are hardened veterans of guerilla warfare, Neophytes learn to conduct small-unit actions and become practiced at reconnaissance, sabotage, and assassination. While the Canis Helix naturally makes the average Neophyte an impetuous and battle-lusting sort, stark discipline is imposed upon them during their time here. They will, as Aedred Thann of the Black Hounds is fond of saying, live obeying their orders or not at all.

Secondly, the Shadow Companies serve as the chapter's special operations arm. The 9th Company, currently possessing the cognomen "Cauldron of Arawn", is where the majority of the Chapter's Wolf Scouts reside. Answering directly to the Cyning, they serve as reavers and killers. While there is a distaste for this bloody work amongst the rest of the Greymanes, they all recognize that the intelligence and disruption of enemy capabilities provided by the Neophytes and Wolf Scouts of the Shadow Companies is invaluable. 

Edited July 30, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[SvenIronhand]

"A bolt shell in the dark of night is worth ten in the light of day."

-Gesith Battle Leader Guthrum Langstrid, of the Greymanes 9th Company, cognomen "Black Hounds".
 

Guthrum Langstrid is an old veteran of the Indomitus Crusade, one of the initial cadre of Fenrisian-born Primaris Space Marines who formed the Greymanes. Aloof and calculating, he has always stood apart from the mass of his brothers. His preference for covert operations, too, is at odds with the overt nature of the Greymanes' usual strategies. However, these are qualities perfect for a leader of the Shadow Companies. Under Aedred Thann, Aetheling of the Hounds, Guthrum has found a place as the left hand of the Cyning, striking at their foes unseen.

Edited July 31, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on the Shadow Companies members and their backstories.

[SvenIronhand]

The full squad of 9th Company Eliminators.

[SvenIronhand]

Did a quick and dirty Infiltrator Sergeant. I wanted to have at least one member of the squad painted up, since I game on Mondays.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on the models. How will you decorate their bases?

[SvenIronhand]

I live, and the Greymanes as well! Here's an Infiltrator I had unfinished before my burnout and getting into Bolt Action. I went and finished him as of this writing. His armor might be a shade lighter. My usual method, which was to use Hardened Carapace + Dark Tone, has always been one I'm unsatisfied with. If I may ask a favor of you all, which color/colors could help me to replicate the colors in the second image? Ideally, I'd like to use a single paint.

 

Edited November 15, 2021 by SvenIronhand

[SvenIronhand]

Winter's woe came to New Albia, and with it, changes for the Greymanes. Their mighty fortress-monastery, Kamahaloth, was besieged by the Tizcan Flame warband of the Thousand Sons. In the battle, their Cyning Njord Greymane was slain as was foreseen so long ago- and a new one arose, in the form of Godwyn Bullroarer. Blasting away from the beleaguered New Albia as the Tizcan Flame's fleet closed in to occupy it, the Greymanes swore in their hearts to return - and free their people. 

Godwyn's Kingsguard has been severely reduced by attrition and the losses taken in the battle for Kamahaloth. Only a single pack of them remains in the 1st Company, three Astartes who've earned the young Cyning's trust and favor. These singular individuals represent the hope of all Greymanes - to return to their home, and liberate its people from the yoke of the sons of Magnus. And so, they fight with the fury of men willing to put everything on the line. 



Moving into a new house is difficult. I made an impromptu light bouncer and photographed these guys.

I should have a Black Templars Marshal coming soon. He'll make a fine basis for Cyning Godwyn Bullroarer.

[SvenIronhand]

“Our people suffer.” Godwyn’s heavy footfalls echoed hard against the dressed stone of the chapel of the Siege Perilous. Now, in this moment, he felt utterly defeated. They were burning a course for Hinduja Velo, in hopes of possibly securing aid from the Wind Runners Chapter. Yet, he felt no solace in this fact. Only a deep abiding sadness at the fall of the old Cyning, at the fall of Kamahaloth. “What say you, Alaric? Jarizleifr?” He asked of the High Witch and High Haruspex, respectively. They hung their heads. “What wise rede will win us the day this time; what foresight can secure us the advantage? When our villages burn and our people suffer, what can avail us?”

 

“The Allfather alone decides our fate.” Jarizleifr Greybeard calmly answered the young Cyning, who stopped in his pacing to face him. Wrapping his fingers around his crozius, the Haruspex continued to speak truth. “I can only see through the runes and bones what he has decided. Know this, milord. He has not condemned us; he has a plan for us.”

 

Alaric One-Eye put his fist to his bearded chin, nodding. “Jarizleifr speaks much truth.” He concurred. Godwyn merely turned, to face the rose window of the chapel. A great Halyrood - the Holy Crux - stood framed against the void, its imagery of sacrifice redolent in Njord’s death. “We are not beaten and out.”

 

“Yes.” Godwyn half-whispered, half-spoke. His superhuman mind brought facts to bear, sharp like swords. “We still have many of our line Astartes and command staff on these ships. The Wighthounds are savaged, but those who survive can be attached to the other Companies. And with the Wind Runners by our side, we can still free our people.”
 

“Get to work.” He told the two of them. “We have much to do if we are to save New Albia.”



WIP.

[SvenIronhand]

Here's the boy! 

[Guest Triszin]

Looking great, converted aos or templar?